Over the past week, International
Space Station flight controllers completed the first round of deep-cycling
the six batteries housed on board Zarya, individually fully discharging
and then recharging them. A second round of this routine housekeeping
procedure to optimize battery performance is under way.

On December 28, flight controllers
successfully commanded the station to an orientation to maximize power
generation. The command was part of a scheduled test to ensure the vehicle
could be commanded to a power-friendly attitude in the event of low
battery levels. Mission managers report that test was fully successful.

With no major activities or
checkouts planned over the past week, flight controllers in Houston
continue to monitor station systems, reporting that all operations are
proceeding very smoothly.

The International Space Station
is in an orbit with a high point of 256 statute miles and a low point
of 248 statute miles, circling Earth once every 92 minutes.

Current opportunities available
for locations worldwide to view the station from the ground as it passes
overhead can be found on the internet at